Maintaining an in-house IT team in healthcare is often prohibitively expensive and inefficient. It requires hiring multiple professionals with specialized skills whose salaries typically range from $70k to $130k in 2024.
The relentless pressure to ensure system uptime and data security can also overwhelm in-house staff. This internal management of IT needs and budgets can distract healthcare organizations from their primary mission: delivering exceptional patient care.
A healthcare-focused Managed Service Provider (MSP) offers a powerful solution, giving you an entire team of healthcare IT experts for the cost of one salary.
What is an MSP?
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a third-party company remotely managing an organization's IT infrastructure and end-user systems. MSPs can provide comprehensive services, including:
- Routine maintenance
- Cybersecurity measures
- Proactive system monitoring
- Daily IT support
Some healthcare organizations have been hesitant to outsource IT due to cost concerns and fear of losing control. However, more are turning towards MSPs due to the financial benefits, increasing skill gaps, and difficulty accessing necessary talent.
That said, healthcare organizations have unique IT needs that require specialized attention. While some practices outsource IT to non-healthcare-focused MSPs out of convenience or due to a lack of options—to hire an entire expert healthcare IT team for the price of one—you need an MSP that specializes in healthcare.
The Benefits of a Healthcare-Focused MSP
Partnering with a healthcare-focused MSP offers distinct advantages. These MSPs understand the healthcare industry's unique challenges and regulatory requirements, ensuring systems run smoothly and securely to support patient care. Conversely, choosing a non-healthcare MSP can extend the time between issue and resolution.
Modern healthcare MSPs bring a wealth of specialized knowledge, with skillsets spanning:
- Project Management
- Cybersecurity
- Server Administration
- Networking
- Public/Private Cloud Solutions
- IT Strategy Development
This breadth of expertise addresses the multifaceted IT needs of healthcare organizations. Unlike relying on a single IT professional with limited capacity, an MSP provides a team of specialists.
This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive coverage across all critical aspects of healthcare IT, from daily operations to long-term strategic planning.
Here are some additional key benefits of working with a healthcare-focused MSP:
1. Healthcare Systems Familiarity
A healthcare-focused MSP brings extensive experience in managing Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Practice Management Systems (PMS), which are critical to healthcare IT. Downtime or performance issues in these systems can significantly impact patient care.
A specialized MSP understands these intricacies, ensuring optimal performance and swiftly addressing issues. This proactive approach helps prevent disruptions across interconnected systems.
2. HIPAA Compliance and Security
Healthcare organizations must comply with stringent regulations like HIPAA. A healthcare-focused MSP understands these requirements and implements robust data security measures to protect patient information.
Some conduct thorough Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) to identify vulnerabilities and help with HIPAA compliance. For example, at PEAKE, we conduct comprehensive SRAs and deploy advanced cybersecurity protocols to mitigate data security threats.
Additionally, with the rise of cyber threats against healthcare organizations, partnering with an MSP that stays ahead of emerging threats is crucial for protecting patient data and maintaining operational continuity.
3. Scaling with a Healthcare MSP
As healthcare practices grow, their IT needs become more complex. Healthcare-focused MSPs may offer scalable services that adapt to changing technology needs and regulatory requirements.
At PEAKE, one of our core focuses is scalability. We are adamant about ensuring our clients' IT infrastructure supports growth and innovation without constraints.
4. Positive Impact on Patient Care
The ultimate goal of any healthcare organization is to provide exceptional patient care. A healthcare IT MSP can contribute to this mission by doing the following:
- Ensuring high system uptime to minimize disruptions that can compromise patient care
- Managing IT infrastructure proactively to help healthcare staff focus on their primary responsibilities rather than dealing with technical issues
- Working strategically with the healthcare organization to align IT infrastructure with goals for improving patient care
A healthcare-focused MSP brings technical expertise and a deep understanding of the healthcare industry. This specialized knowledge ensures that IT systems support healthcare organization's unique needs, ultimately enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.
However, healthcare IT MSPs offer varying degrees of expertise. Knowing how to select the right healthcare IT services for your organization and needs is crucial.
How to Choose the Right Healthcare IT Services
Here are some critical steps to take when choosing a healthcare-focused MSP:
1. Evaluate Experience
Choosing the right healthcare IT services starts with evaluating the MSP's specific experience in the healthcare sector. An MSP that claims to specialize in multiple industries may lack the depth of understanding needed to address the unique challenges and regulatory requirements of healthcare IT.
Look for MSPs with a proven track record in healthcare, demonstrated through case studies or client testimonials. Ensure they have specialized knowledge and familiarity with HIPAA requirements, various EMRs, and Practice Management Systems (PMS) and can maintain your systems without disrupting patient care.
2. Analyze Service Offerings
A good healthcare IT MSP should offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to the needs of healthcare organizations. Essential capabilities to look for include:
- 24/7 Support: Continuous support is critical for uninterrupted patient care. The best MSPs will have support staff working after business hours and be able to respond to issues before they impact a workflow.
- Regular System Monitoring: Proactive monitoring helps to identify and resolve issues before they escalate, minimizing downtime and maintaining system performance.
- Proactive Maintenance: Regular updates and maintenance are critical for ensuring that IT infrastructure remains secure and efficient, helping to prevent security breaches and system failures.
3. Read Reviews and Ask for References
When evaluating potential MSPs, consider their reputation within the healthcare industry. Look for reviews and testimonials from other healthcare organizations to assess their satisfaction with the MSP's services.
Additionally, ask the MSP for references and speak directly with their clients to get firsthand accounts of their experiences. Positive feedback from other healthcare practices can assure you that the MSP meets your organization's IT needs.
Ready to enhance your IT infrastructure and patient care?
Managing IT in-house can be both costly and complex. By partnering with an MSP, you gain an entire team of dedicated IT professionals.
But remember that most IT services aren’t built to truly support healthcare practices and their patients. At PEAKE Technology Partners, we’re a healthcare IT MSP empowering practices with premium IT services and customized solutions that help deliver healthcare excellence.
Learn more about how our IT services can help you deliver exceptional patient care by scheduling a conversation today.
